Maguire throws 4 picks, Florida State falls to Houston 38-24

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher tried to spin his team’s performance in the Peach Bowl as a strong effort with the wrong result.

Houston safety Trevon Stewart and cornerback William Jackson III each had two interceptions.

Florida State players Roberto Aguayo (19) and Cason Beatty (38) kneel on the field after losing to Houston 38-24 in the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, in Atlanta. And thanks to two Maguire interceptions, field position remained on Houston’s side.

He’ll be pleased with his decision after his upstart No. 18 Cougars went into the Peach Bowl and soundly beat the lethargic No. 9 Florida State 38-24 on New Year’s Eve afternoon in Atlanta. The sophomore receiver torched the Houston secondary for 201 yards on just seven catches – 28.7 YPC – and a 65-yard touchdown that ignited Florida State’s comeback bid in the fourth quarter.

Ward, the nation’s only player to run and throw for 1,000 yards this season, threw for 238 yards and ran for 67 yards as No. 14 Houston (13-1) scored the most points allowed by Florida State this season.

Golson, a senior, is not with the team for the bowl game due to personal reasons. It wasn’t enough to overcome five turnovers.

Seminoles star running back Dalvin Cook was held to 33 yards with a TD and a lost fumble. A 10-point turnover advantage can help out quite a bit in a 14-point win, I would say. The Cougars ran a season-high 99 plays and totaled 448 yards with Ward and backup Kyle Postma under center.

Sure, Ayers’ pass was a complete duck, but that’s just nitpicking.

Trevone Boykin’s brilliant college career has come to an abrupt and inglorious end even though Texas Christian has one game left to play this season.

Houston’s drive was stopped short after Florida State rushed six on third and nine for the Cougars. After a Houston touchdown, Josh Sweat and DeMarcus Walker teamed up to intercept Greg Ward Jr., giving the ball to the ‘Noles deep in UH territory.

Maguire completed consecutive third-down passes to Kermit Whitfield and then found Travis Rudolph on a 26-yard gain to get to Houston’s one-yard line. Maguire couldn’t put pressure on his left leg as he was supported by trainers before leaving the field on a cart. Maguire’s replacement, J.J. Cosentino, was completely ineffective (1-for-4, five yards, two sacks), and when Maguire returned, he wasn’t any better.

Maguire returned with a heavily bandaged ankle, which stirred social media.

Florida State survived a scary moment late in the first quarter when quarterback Sean Maguire sustained a lower leg injury after landing awkwardly on a tackle by Houston linebacker Matthew Adams. He holds school records for yards passing (12,200), completions (977) and touchdown passes (96).

It’s been a rough day for Florida State’s football program, but fret not, FSU fans, the Seminoles have big plans for next season.